OU football prepares for 'a lot of elements' in Texas Tech's multi-QB offense
NORMAN — Garrett Greene took off his helmet as he ran around the field and celebrated with his teammates.
The sophomore began the day as West Virginia's backup quarterback but ended it as its hero, replacing starter JT Daniels and leading his team to a 23-20 win over OU on Nov. 12. Greene racked up a career-high 257 total yards of offense and three touchdowns along the way.
It was a dazzling display from Greene, who likely wasn't high on the list of players the Sooners prepared for that day.
OU will try to avoid making that mistake again at 6:30 p.m. Saturday when it travels to face a Texas Tech team that has multiple quarterbacks in the mix.
Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire said in a press conference Monday that Tyler Shough is expected to start under center. The senior quarterback has been hindered by numerous injuries the past two seasons, but he led Texas Tech to a 14-10 win over Iowa State last week to secure bowl eligibility.
Then there's Donovan Smith, a sophomore quarterback who has thrown for team-highs of 1,505 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. He's also a threat on the ground as he has scored six rushing touchdowns.
More:OU football suspends Daniel Parker indefinitely after emergency protective order filed
While they're at it, the Sooners will surely prepare for Behren Morton as well. The redshirt freshman quarterback boasts 1,117 passing yards and nine total touchdowns this season, although his availability is up in the air following an ankle injury he suffered in a Week 10 loss to TCU.
"It’s a challenge because they spread it all over the lot, throw it all over the lot," defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. "Multi-quarterback system. So there’s a lot of elements to this offense that we’ve gotta prepare for.”
The Sooners have had to prepare for multiple quarterbacks on the same team a few times this season.
The first example came in a Week 5 road game against TCU. OU was prepared to face Max Duggan but also had to plan for the possible return of Chandler Morris, who began the season as TCU's starter before getting injured in a Week 1 win over Colorado.
Duggan ended up getting the nod for the Horned Frogs. He torched the Sooners for 418 total yards and five touchdowns en route to a 55-24 win.
OU faced a similar dilemma the following week against Texas. The Longhorns had started Hudson Card the previous three weeks but were hopeful to see the return of Quinn Ewers, who got injured in a Week 2 loss to Alabama.
Ewers made his return after all. He erupted for 306 total yards and four touchdowns to lead Texas to a 49-0 win.
Then came the West Virginia matchup.
The Mountaineers started the contest with Daniels but ultimately turned to Greene, who had shown flashes of potential in limited opportunities throughout the season. The sophomore then went on to dismantle OU's defense and lead his team to a comeback victory.
Each game came with its own unique set of circumstances, but all of them resulted in a loss for the Sooners.
OU will look to change that trend on Saturday in Lubbock, Texas.
“We prepare for all of it," Roof said. "You want to make sure you’re doing your due diligence and have answers for problems or situations as they unfold. We’re gonna look at all of it and have a plan for all of it.”
OU vs. Oklahoma State football: Five takeaways from Sooners' win in Bedlam
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The Sooners enter Saturday's game with a few questions up front.
OU won last week's rivalry game against Oklahoma State without junior center Andrew Raym, who suffered an apparent shoulder injury against West Virginia. The offensive line then took another hit during Bedlam when senior Wanya Morris got hurt and didn't return.
An availability update hasn't been provided for either player. But even if one or both of them is unable to play against Texas Tech, it wouldn't be the first time this season that OU's offensive line has been shorthanded.
The group faced an early challenge when Morris missed the Sooners' first two games due to an off-the-field issue. Redshirt sophomore Tyler Guyton got the start in both instances and played well on an offensive line that allowed OU to run for 393 yards and five touchdowns.
Backup center Robert Congel also stepped up against OSU during Raym's absence. The redshirt fifth-year senior bought time for redshirt junior quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite facing a series of injuries and setbacks, OU's offensive line continues to find ways to produce.
"It felt like, even at the beginning of the year, we had some quality from a depth standpoint," offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby said. "We needed guys to step up and are going to need guys to step up this weekend. That's the reality of it."
It also helps that the Sooners have an anchor in Anton Harrison.
The junior has emerged as one of the top offensive linemen in the country due in part to his versatility. Despite primarily playing left tackle, he has spent time at right tackle this season when needed.
"To me, Anton has gotten better every single week," Lebby said. "Just a lot of strain and just a lot of awareness by him on things that he needed to work at that has improved him in a big way."
OU's offensive line is now tasked with containing a Texas Tech defense that is tied for the most sacks in the Big 12 this season (26). It'll be another challenge for a group that has yet to shy away from one.
"Obviously, Bill (Bedenbaugh) has done an unbelievable job with that room and that group," Lebby said. "We're looking for a big week out of them."
More:OU football suspends Daniel Parker indefinitely after emergency protective order filed
Michael Turk named Ray Guy Award Semifinalist
The past few days have been good to Michael Turk.
After recording 11 punts for an average of 49 yards in a win over OSU this past Saturday, the redshirt fifth-year punter successfully proposed to his girlfriend, OU softball star Grace Lyons.
More good news came Turk's way on Monday. The Dallas native was selected as one of 10 finalists for the Ray Guy Award, which is given annually to the nation's best collegiate punter.
Turk has been one of OU's most consistent weapons this season. He's averaging 46.51 yards per punt, which ranks fourth in the nation.
"Turk’s been a monster, man," head coach Brent Venables said after the OSU win. "He was outstanding... Michael performs like that because he got clean snaps. Things are on point. Protection was excellent... He did an awesome job."
More: OU punter Michael Turk proposes to Sooners softball star Grace Lyons after Bedlam win
Sooners get two commitments
It didn't take long for the Sooners' Bedlam win to pay off on the recruiting trail.
Sunday, OU picked up a commitment from defensive tackle Ashton Sanders. A day later, defensive end Taylor Wein committed to the Sooners.
Both are three-star 2023 prospects, according to Rivals.
Sanders (6-foot-2, 300 pounds), a Los Angeles product, became the first OU commit in nearly three months. Wein (6-5, 245), from Nolensville, Tennessee, became the Sooners' 22nd commit of the 2023 class Monday.
Both were in Norman for Saturday's game.
The Sooners' 2023 class is ranked No. 9, according to Rivals.
More: What message does OU's win over OSU send to recruits? 'We're always gonna bounce back'
OU vs. Texas Tech
KICKOFF: 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas (FS1)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football: Sooners prepare for Texas Tech's multiple QB offense
